PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING AS A COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDER !
IT CAN TAKE AN AMBULANCE 20+ MINUTES TO REACH US FROM STOKE MANDEVILLE HOSPITAL. THE PREVIOUS LOCAL VOLUNTEERS RETIRED FROM THE ROLE AND OUR CLUSTER OF VILLAGES IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY THE SERVICE. FIRST RESPONDERS LIVE LOCALLY AND PROVIDE A VITAL, QUICK RESPONSE IN THE EVENT OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Community First Responder (Pitstone, Buckinghamshire) | South Central Ambulance Charity Volunteering
Message from South Central Ambulance Charity:
We are currently recruiting Community First Responders (CFRs) in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
CFRs are based in the communities they live in, attending non life threatening and life threatening calls. These include, but are not limited too – Suspected heart attacks, suspected strokes, cardiac arrests, broken bones, severe bleeding, breathing difficulties.
We will give full training, over a four day period, so that you are fully equipped to attend these calls and you will not only have the support of you scheme and scheme coordinator but also the Community Engagement & Training team. You need to have a good level of physical fitness as you will need to carry a kit bag (which can weigh up to 13kg), be able to perform effective CPR (after training), have access to your own vehicle and be willing to support the charity with fundraising. We recommend that CFRs support us with a minimum of 20 hours responding time a month, in order to reduce skill fade. However these 20 hours can be carried out at any time that is suitable for you.
Why do our Community First Responders do this voluntary role?
James has always been interested in health care and joining his local CFR team has given him a chance to be involved locally and to develop his passion and skills in this area. James responds mainly on evenings giving additional support to the crews at peak times.
A volunteering induction will take place on 19th June followed by training on 20 and 21st June & 4th and 5th July 2026. You must be able to attend all five days for us to be able to consider you for this role. Please read the role description below for further details.
If you would like to discuss the role further before applying please email info@sca-charity.org.uk
Why we want you
Our Community First Responders (CFR) are volunteers who are trained by us to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives. CFRs play an integral part in our response to patients within the local communities of where they live and work. As a CFR you will join your local scheme and attend medical and trauma emergencies, often providing vital interventions and support before the arrival of the ambulance crew. You will be provided with full training and support throughout your time with us as a CFR, though the Community Engagement & Training Team and your Scheme Coordinator.
As part of your CFR role we also ask that you support South Central Ambulance Charity by attending fundraising events such as bucket collections or supporting with First Aid cover at local events which the charity receive funding for. The CFR role is fully funded by the Charity and so we ask that you are willing to support in order for us to continue to provide good levels of kit, equipment and uniform across our patch.
Please note this role description is for guidance only
What you will be doing
- Attending a range of medical emergency calls both life threatening and non life threatening
- Attending calls on your own
- Providing reassurance to patients and families
- Represent and support South Central Ambulance Charity
- Support with fundraising and attending local community events to promote the Charity
- Representing South Central Ambulance Service
- Be part of a local CFR Scheme
The skills you need
- No formal qualifications or experience required
- Full driving licence, with 12 months experience and no more than 3 penalty points
- Access to your own vehicle
- Good verbal and written skills
- Good and clear communication
- Good level of physical fitness (Occupational Health Screening will be required)
- Qualities that align with South Central Ambulance Service core values
What’s in it for you
- After training, CFRs will usually join a local scheme with other CFRs which is led by a volunteer coordinator. Before going on call for the first time, volunteers will usually complete a shift with an experienced CFR or training officer from the Ambulance Service.
- Each area has a dedicated SCAS Community Engagement & Training Officer (CETO) who you can contact at any time for help or support. They are your main point of contact with the organisation.
- All training, uniform and equipment is supplied and funded by the SCAS Charity (as the NHS receive no funding for the CFR role) and will be provided on successful completion of training.
- You will be in a position where you could save lives in your community. Our CFRs regularly attend patients who would have otherwise died without their intervention.
- You will be part of the wider SCAS ‘family’ and will be given the opportunity to work with ambulance crews and other emergency services as part of the role at the scene of an incident.
- As part of your training, you will complete a level 3 certificate in Ambulance First Response, which is a nationally recognised qualification.
- You will have many opportunities to expand your knowledge and training the longer you stay with us, including being trained to drive our vehicles, work in the Clinical Coordination Centre, and undertake some additional enhanced training to enable you to do more for our patients and your community.
